Senior Environmental Engineer - MS4 Compliance

DB STERLIN CONSULTANTS INC•Chicago, IL

1d•$158,000 - $162,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Environmental Engineer leads stormwater compliance efforts for the City of Chicago, ensuring adherence to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). This role supports citywide programs managed primarily through the Department of Water Management (DWM) and related agencies, focusing on stormwater quality, regulatory reporting, and infrastructure compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or Civil Engineering
Professional Engineer (PE) License
7-15 years of experience in stormwater, wastewater, or environmental compliance
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Direct experience with MS4 permits (Illinois preferred)
Familiarity with IEPA and federal regulatory frameworks, including NEPA, NPDES, TMDL
Supervise and mentor junior engineers and environmental staff
Must be able to sit, walk, stand, reach with hands and arms, stoop or kneel, climb, or balance, talk, or hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects tools or control.
Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds on occasion.
Complete state-required competency.
Attend job-related seminars and workshops.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with Illinois MS4 permit requirements (ILR40) and evolving IEPA regulations
Prepare and submit Annual MS4 reports, Notice of Intent (NOI) documentation, and Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) updates
Maintain publicly accessible compliance documentation as required by IEPA and City policy
Make recommendations and provide advice on environmental policy standards, regulations, and best practices in compliance with the Clean Water Act; serve as a liaison with state environmental agencies, City departments, and the EPA
Lead implementation of the six minimum control measures (MCMs) required under MS4: public education & outreach, public involvement, illicit discharge detection & elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction stormwater management, and pollution prevention/good housekeeping
Work closely with Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM), Chicago Department of Aviation (O’Hare and Midway MS4 programs), and DOT and AIS projects
Support compliance across ~4,400 miles of sewer infrastructure and associated assets
Integrate MS4 requirements into capital improvement and green infrastructure projects
Review and enforce stormwater requirements for construction sites
Ensure developers submit Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) and NOI and permit documentation
Coordinate inspections and enforcement actions
Perform and oversee hydraulic/hydrologic modeling, system capacity assessments, and BMP and green infrastructure design (e.g., permeable pavements, bioswales)
Evaluate impacts to receiving waters and support TMDL-related compliance efforts
Oversee stormwater monitoring programs and data analysis
Maintain compliance databases and GIS mapping of stormwater systems
Track BMP performance and program audits
Lead public education campaigns on stormwater pollution prevention
Coordinate with regional agencies such as Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD)
Represent the City in regulatory meetings and public forums
Recruit, supervise, and mentor junior engineers and environmental staff
Manage consultant contracts (e.g., engineering firms supporting MS4 programs)
Oversee budgets, schedules, and deliverables for compliance programs